Wheeled figure toy track and balance means



Feb. 23, 1954 M. J. DIETRICH WHEEL-ED FIGURE TOY TRACK AND BALANCE MEANS Filed March 2, 1953 Fig. 2 g ,1 22 24 N 0 8 4 w .m v 9% 0 Patented Feb. 23, 1954 UNITED STATEtl WHEELER FIGURE TOY TRACK AND BALANCE MEANS Martin J. Dietrich, Kamloops, British Columbia,

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in figure toys, generally speaking, and has reference in particular to a construction which is characterized by a figure on a bicycle which is adapted to travel, somewhat mysteriously, on and around an endless tract; in a fun and interest provoking manner.

More specifically, the invention appertains to a toy in the form of a bicycle with a rider thereon and wherein a balance bar is attached to the handle bars of the bicycle, novel means being provided for maintaining the balance bar in a pre determined approximately horizontal plane in order that the bicycle, which may be a sprin motor, self-propelled type, is held erect much to the amazement of a child or other observer.

In carrying out a preferred embodiment of the invention, the forces of gravity, magnetism, and centrifugal-forces are encountered, taken into account and are interestingly revealed to the child enthusiast with the idea in mind that the unique toy construction becomes instructive in respect to teaching the observer basic underlying principles having to do not only with the simple mechanics involved but with the stated forces singly and collectively.

More explicitly revealed, the invention has to do with a toy in which the forces of gravity and magnetism combine for desired results and comprising, in combination, a stationary base, an elevated single rail endless track mounted atop said base, a self-propelled figure toy including a support having at least one wheel in rolling contact with said rail, a balance bar carried by said toy, and means cooperating with said base, rail,

toy, and balance bar whereby the latter is maintained in a substantially horizontal position in a manner such that it actually balances and keeps said toy erect as the latter whirls around the track, and wherein said means embodies a permanent magnet.

It is also an object of the invention to structurally, functionally, and otherwise improve upon similarly constructed and performing structural adaptations and, in doing so, to effectively meet the respective manufacturing and use requirements of manufacturers, retailers, and juvenile and other users.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a toy constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and illustrating the manner in which the same is intended to function;

Figure 2 is a view based on Figure 1 and which is fragmentary, sectional and elevational in form and which discloses a modified base and track construction;

Figure 3 is a View on an enlarged scale in section and elevation with the balance bar fragmentarily shown and illustrating the magnetic features utilized; and,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of one end portion, on an enlarged scale, of a modified balance bar with a permanent magnet fitted therein.

Referring now to the drawings by way of reference numerals and with the assistance of lead lines, the base means, which may be of appropriate construction, is here denoted by the numeral 6. In Figure 1 it comprises a rectangular cardboard or equivalent base. The endless track, which is preferably a single rail, is denoted by the numeral it and has appropriate supporting posts Ill-40 which are vertically arranged and situated at circumferentially spaced points and suitably attached at their lower ends to the base. The toy bicycle, motorcycle, mono-cycle or other wheeled vehicle, is denoted by the numeral 12. If desired or found necessary, the wheels will have grooved peripheral rims i ll l so that they will function as wheeling or rolling elements as well as retaining elements. Of course, the track could be flat and the rim portions of: the wheels fiat but it has been found that it is perhaps better that the track rail should be cylindrical in cross-section so that the wheels will be properly channeled on the rail. It is also desired that the toy should have a complemental or companion rider or equivalent figure it. In actual practice, any appropriate spring-motor will be incorporated and the winding key of this is shown at is in Figure 2. That is to say, the bicycle is to be self-propelled. The handle bars are denoted generally by the numeral 2t and the aforementioned balance bar is denoted, as a unit, by the numeral 22. This may be a metal bar, as shown, with the intermediate portion welded or otherwise secured to the handle bar means 29 and with one end portion 24 projecting radially and outwardly beyond the track rail and the other end portion projecting radially inward and having its inner overloalanced end portion 2% terminating at the axial center of the track. At this point, there is a post or upright 28 of any suitable material which is attached to and rises from the base and whose upper end 30 is truncated and in a plane above the plane of the track. There is a permanent magnet 32 embedded axially in this upright. The magnet has the south pole facing downwardly and its north pole facing upwardly and exposed by way of the truncated end 30. The eXacttermina-l end portion 34 of the balance bar terminates over the north pole of the magnet and this end 34 is likewise magnetized so that its north pole cooperates with that of the magnet 32. The forcesthus repel and these magnetic forces are relied upon to offset; the tendency of the wheeled toy, to tilt inwardly toward the center of the ring. The bar22 may be either magnetized or a magnet may be inserted into one end of the same androf::coursethe,fixed magnet means 32 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the base and at the exact axial center of the endless ring or track.

if With further respect --t'-the balance sbar, a modification 0f the same is'showm in Figure 4 wherein the same is conveniently denoted by the numeral 36 with the end portion 38 hollow and ai -permanent magnet at! is ii-ttedinto thehcllow end-as -shownJ-Here the balance bar may beof --non-magnetic material.

It is also to be pointed out in connectionwith *theinolilificationseen in Figure 2 that th'e base and trackmay be' of a 'construction other than thatshown Figure i. That is to -say, itis within the purview of the invention-to utilize the cardboard;-or=equivalent container orlbox as "the-base and track-means. *So,-in'-Figure 2', the '--bottom*of the boxflE is denoted at-M--and-this carries the post or upright 28. Also, the-rim or --wall of the box; which is 'endles and circular andis denoted at-t6,-constitutes' the track for the-vehicle, as'shown. Inasmuch'as-the vehicle and-balance bar and all other' essential features ;have already; been described; it will be-evident {the same -numbers"employed= in Figure 1' are also employed in Figure 2. In-other 'WOIdS, the only difference between the figures is-' that the base and-track differ in constructions" In practice; the spring-motorwhichdrives the bicycle or motor- "--cycle-will have tobegeared insuch a-way -that j itpwill slow the-speed down in -order not -to-- set -;up-centrifu'gal iorcessuch as wouldbe-likely to clash :with the forces *of gravity and "magnetic =forceswhich are taken into; account in the' completion andoperation 'ofthe overall toy.

The gfact that the magnet 32 is hidden in "the -uprightzd adds to the-mystery element of' the concept, as is obvieus. Moreover; the "fact that the terminal end 34 is repelledand-maintained in a-somewhat critical; spaced relationship also addstotheunseenmeans which keeps the bicycle --and,rider riding in an upright orerect position continuously around the'trackw Considered col- -lective1y,;th,eseunique factors not only are such as'to render the structure intriguing-but are'be- Y lieved to be an innovation "in this-"line of en- --deavor.

and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents 'may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows: 1. In'a'toy in which the forces of gravity, mag- ;netism, and centrifugal-forces are involved, in ,lcombination, a base, an elevated single endless track rail mountedon said base, a rider-equipped self-propelled bicycle having driven wheels op- ;eratively; coop-arable with said track rail, said bicycle embodying handle bar means, a balance barha-ving an intermediate portion afiixed to said handle bar means with the outer end portion I "projecting radially 1 and. ,outwardlysbeyond the :outer-perimeterrof the track .rail and theqinner end portion overhanging thegbase a-ndprojectin toward and terminating atgtheaxial-center; of -lthe-tracl rail andlbase said innerend pprtion i beingmagnetized, andupright means-carried by the axial .center portion of sai rbase havinec axially;arrangedzrnagnet with; whichv saidinner 1 end of saidtbalancebar. is in;spaeed buteretentive relationship.

atovin which the-fo c s Q entit m s- .wnetism, and :centrifugalgforces are; involved, in

1- ccmbination, a-iiat relativelystationary portable base, a singlee-rail-xendless said base within, theglnarginal limits of the base,

ole-moun d t a seli-propelled-,,figure:ztoy ,including; ay mobile support havingat l ast-one grooved-wheel in rolling contact with theyrail of said track, a balance bar having .-;an =;;inter,\nediate zportionnaf gged to 40 said figure-.itoy; ut-he'louter; end: oflsaid balance, bar

.wprojecting: radially sand '1 outwardly .:;beyond;-; the nzperimeter of the: track r ilend the ii' rifi d p tion of saidbalance bar over-hanging thebaseand projecting. :toward and. termin ti ea t t es -pn. "proximateaxial CxBKltGI'fOf thebase andtraclgrail,

said inner end portion being,lnagnetiaed -amupright; means; carried-myths; axialacenten i'hqrtion v:of :said; base rand, havin *an uppergendg disposed at a plane abovetheplane ofthetr ck ai-han ::,:having an-axi'ally arrangednmagnet; withewhich the magnetized; inner end of; said balancezbar is xcooperable in spaeedrelation.

AMARTIN J. DIEfIfR-ICI-I.

References Gitedin the file ofthis patent JUNITED' STATES PATENTS Number I Name i Date 1 ;3 Damiano ar e- M y. ;.19

-fFoRElGN. PATENTS Number Country Date 25,732 Great Britain -51908 

